Labornet Japan is a network of citizens, unionists, activists, scholars and others from all walks of life to share information especially about rights and struggles in and outside of Japan. Established in 2001, the group now has more than 500 members, and the membership is growing. The English site introduces some reports shared on Labornet Japan website and other sources outside of Japan.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

5,500 join anti-war action with sense of crisis and in anger

The venue, Hibiya Open-Air Music Hall in
central Tokyo, was filled with people, and still many others were trying to
enter it. The action against war and for the defense of Article 9 of the Japan’s
peace constitution on September 4, 2014 was joined by 5,500, which was
significant to confront Japan’s Prime Minister Abe’s pro-war policies. The
action was totally bipartisan, joined by many opposition parties, such as the
Democratic Party, the Japanese Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party and
the People’s Life First Party, in addition to various trade unions and
grassroots organizations. The tense atmosphere in the hall was the sense of
crisis toward the Abe Administration. OCHIAI Keiko, a famous writer, appealed, “The
Japanese Government puts a gun to the local people, while saying, ‘We are going
to protect people’s lives and safety’. They have to stop joking. What they are
doing is nothing other than terrorism against democracy”. Then, NAKANISHI Rei,
a famous songwriter, read a poem “To Peace Ambassadors!” There were also vivid
reports on Okinawa and the Gaza Strip. The venue was full of determination to
bring down the current dangerous administration. (M)